Dr. Jun Xu went to Leprosy village in 2013, 2014 and 2016, soon he will go to the leprosy village on March 31, 2017.

In 2013, there was no a single room being used for treatment in the leprosy village, Dr. Xu and his team had to use a tent. The temperature was around 125 Fahrenheit degrees.

The leprosy patients were waiting for their turn to be attended. Dr. Jun Xu saw about 200 patients a day.

Typical leprosy patient:
Early Stages
Spots of hypopigmented skin- discolored spots which develop on the skin
Anaesthesia(loss of sensation) in hypthese opigmented spots can occur as well as hair loss
“Skin lesions that do not heal within several weeks of and injury are a typical sign of leprosy.” (Sehgal 24)

Progression of disease

“Enlarged peripheral nerves, usually near joints, such as the wrist, elbow and knees.”(Sehgal 24)
Nerves in the body can be affected causing numbess and muscle paralysis
Claw hand- the curling of the fingers and thumb caused by muscle paralysis
Blinking reflex lost due to leprosy’s affect on one’s facial nerves; loss of blinking reflex can eventually lead to dryness, ulceration, and blindness
“Bacilli entering the mucous lining of the nose can lead to internal damage and scarring that, in time, causes the nose to collapse.”(Sehgal 27)
“Muscles get weaker, resulting in signs such as foot drop (the toe drags when the foot is lifted to take a step)”(Sehgal 27)

Long-term Effects
“If left untreated, leprosy can cause deformity, crippling, and blindness. Because the bacteria attack nerve ending, the terminal body parts (hands and feet) lose all sensations and cannot feel heat, touch, or pain, and can be easily injured…. Left unattended, these wounds can then get further infected and cause tissue damage.” (Sehgal 27)
As a result to the tissue damage, “fingers and toes can become shortened, as the cartilage is absorbed into the body…Contrary to popular belief, the disease does not cause body parts to ‘fall off’.” (Sehgal 27)

Every year, Dr. Jun Xu and his team bring around $300,000 worth of medicine donated from his team members and Americares in Stamford, CT to treat the leprosy and other patients in Senegal and Guinea Bissau. http://www.americares.org/, in 2017, his team also received medicine donation from Direct Relief in California, https://www.directrelief.org/.
Dr. Jun Xu and his team finally established a clinic in the leprosy village, one building for the clinic, and another building for the living of doctors and nurses.

Leprosy village people were celebrating the opening of the clinic.

There are 8 wards, which could hospitalize the patients if it is medically necessary.

Dr. Jun Xu’s team usually stay in Senegal for 10 to 14 days, these are the foods his team brought from US in order to keep them health and safe. They do not dare to eat street food.

The above are the coolants contained food Dr. Jun Xu’s team brought from US

Dr. Jun Xu and his team from US in 2006.
If you are interested in joining Dr. Jun Xu’s team or donating to his work in Senegal, please address your check payable to AGWV, and send to
Jun Xu, MD, 1171 E Putnam Avenue, Riverside, CT 06878, USA.
Dr. Xu promises that all your donation 100% will go to Senegal and his team will nerve use a penny from your donation. You will receive the tax deductible receipt. Any amount is a great help for Africa patients.
For more info, please visit our websites at
http://www.drxuacupuncture.co/ and http://www.africacriesout.org/

Like most people in Western countries, Michelle, a 50 year old woman, loved to sun bathe for many years. She gradually discovered that her skin appeared to have an increasing amount of dark spots as she began to age. She also complained of deeper wrinkles appearing on her upper lip, in the corner of her eyes, side of her mouth and nasolabial folds deepening with constant dryness of the skin that lacked shine. She also had difficulty falling asleep, remaining asleep without interruption, experienced fatigue, constipation, on and off hot flashes, irregular menstruation, lived a stressful life, and experienced cold limbs during the winter and in air condition rooms. She would like to try acupuncture and Chinese herbs to reduce her facial dark spots, wrinkles, and improve the quality of her facial skin.

In order to understand the formation of hyperpigmentation and wrinkles, we have to understand the skin structure and related modern research.

The hyperpigmentation, i.e. dark spots, is the darkening of an area of skin caused by increased melanin. The dark spots are the results of excessive sun exposure usually found on the hands and face; hormonal changes associated as pregnancy, menopausal changes and ingestion of birth control pills; genetic factor, such as freckles or drug reaction. Sometimes, acne vulgaris (severe acne/pimples) also leads to hyperpigmentation.

Wrinkles typically appear as a result of aging. Wrinkles are accelerated by habitual facial expressions, aging, sun damage, smoking, poor hydration, and various other factors.

The outermost layer is the epidermis, which is made up of mainly dead, hardened skin cells that protect the body from outside elements.

The next layer is the dermis, which contains a kind of tissue called collagen, as well as fibers and elastin that gives skin its elasticity.

The innermost layer is the hypodermis, which is made of mostly fat that absorbs water to make the skin tissue nourished.

Many forms of hyperpigmentation are caused by an excess production of melanin by melanocytes at the epidermis. Besides the above mentioned causes, UV lights are the main reason to stimulate melanocyte activity; therefore, it is necessary to avoid excessive exposure to sun.

Wrinkles form in the epidermis and dermis. As we age, skin loses its ability to defend itself against the sun, smoking and the environment.

The outermost layer of cells divide more slowly in older skin, making the epidermis thinner and lack the ability to hold moisture, which leads to fine lines in the skin’s surface.

Deeper in the skin, the dermis, collagen and elastin break down and weakens the skin’s supportive structure. Skin then looses its elasticity and the ability to stretch and spring back into a firm position.

During this time, fat starts to disappear from the skin’s deepest layers, the hypodermis, which leads to sagging.

Together, these effects create deeper wrinkles, such as frown lines and furrows. In fact, 90 percent of the premature skin ageing wrinkles is from excessive exposure to the sun, not from the normal process of aging. 50 to 80 percent of skin damage caused by the excessive sun exposure occurs in childhood. Therefore, good sun protection should be a habit developed early on and applying sunscreen before going outdoors can help reduce wrinkles.

Another cause of premature skin aging is smoking. Smoking damages the skin’s collagen which causes inflammation and leaves telltale lines around the mouth. Smokers are five times more likely to have wrinkled facial skin than non-smokers.

Air pollution, smog and toxins in the air can also wreak havoc on your skin by breaking down vitamin E, a necessary vitamin for your skin’s health. Genetics also play a role in skin health because it can determine when you’ll begin seeing crow’s feet around your eyes and laugh lines around your mouth.

How does Chinese Medicine treat patients with dark spots and deep wrinkles?

Chinese Medicine treats each patient as a whole person. Maintaining good skin isn’t just about beauty. It is also a health issue. More and more people pay attention not only to the wrinkles and dark spots but to their health. It is called life extension science or anti-aging medicine. Skin quality changes as the body’s health increases.

The Chinese approach to beauty has always been identified as being within. In other words, beauty stems from what’s on the inside. As early as the Sung Dynasty (960AD-1270AD), Acupuncturists have employed rejuvenation practices for the Empress and other court subjects. The Chinese realized that by using the body’s inner qi (internal energy), and manipulating its channels, it may be used to initiate the healing processes and improve facial appearance.

Chinese Medicine treatment consists of the following parts:

Whole body treatment: In order to maintain the balance of Yin-Yang in the body. The pulse will be maintained to identify any excess or deficiency of internal organs, such as the liver, kidney, heart, spleen and lung.

There are twelve regular meridians and eight extra meridians in our body. The essence transformed from daily intake through our digestion system is carried to the face by normal meridians transportation. Healthy skin appearance includes: moisture, gloss, smoothness, and purity. It is supported by healthy organs and a normal functioning of body. Points selection is not only focus on the face but also other parts of the body as well.

Acupuncture is designed to free up chi, moving energy through the body. When the needles are applied to the face it stimulates production of collagen and elastin. By addressing other parts of the body in addition to the face, such as the feet, legs, arms, head and ears, acupuncture assists the body’s ability to balance yin and yang of organs by carrying blood to the face to support the “facelift,” and the skin becomes “plumped up” without side effects. Meanwhile, acupuncture corrects the bodies discomfort and illness, such as stress, disturbed sleeping, etc. It goes into the root of ageing not only by benefitting the skin but also slowing down the ageing process.

What is the advantage of an acupuncture face lift vs. a surgical one?

Acupuncture is not a replacement for a surgical facelift or botox injections. Acupuncture will not provide an overnight solution; the improvement is subtle and occurs over time. However, acupuncture face-lifts can be an excellent holistic alternative to a traditional surgical face-lift. With acupuncture, the underlying causes of aging are treated rather than masking the symptoms with a surgical face-lift and allowing further decay and dysfunction to continue within the body.

Treatment with herbs and acupuncture is not only substantially less expensive than a traditional surgical face-lift, but much safer. The treatment is risk free from potential dangerous side effects such as numbness, scarring, swelling, discoloration, and even disfigurement.

What are some of the advantages of acupuncture over botox?

Botox is a neurotoxin and among one of the deadliest known to man. Although it is diluted to control its potency, with frequent use, it is possible for systemic toxicity resulting from accidental injection. However, when used safely and supervised by a physician, botox may be an effective treatment for wrinkles. But not withstanding, acupuncture is safer and less expensive when compared to botox treatments.

Michelle’s symptoms are very common among the middle age women approaching menopause with various complaints of body discomforts, wrinkles, dryness, and dark spots on the skin. Acupuncture and Chinese herbs not only treat the root of skin aging, but also make the patient feel good.

By taking her pulse and collecting all the info including her diet, appetite, sleep, daily activity, digestion, urinary and bowel movement, and observing her tongue, Michelle was diagnosed of deficiency of Liver blood and kidney Qi, stagnation of Liver Qi and Blood, therefore, we took the following steps to help her.

Fig 2-5 4. Facial Guasha: by using a flat tool to slowly rub the face in order to reduce the wrinkles and increase the blood supply to the area.

Fig 2-6

5. Acupressure with rosehip/vitamin E oil followed by acupuncture treatment

Fig 2-7

Acupuncture: 30 minutes, once or twice per week, 12 sessions in six or eight weeks. Monthly maintenance after is suggested.

Herbs formula: once a day for at least three months.

Daily suggestion:

1. Drink at least 6-8 glasses of water helps in detoxifying the body.
2. Keep a check on tea/coffee intake
3. Take coconut water daily. It replenishes the skin and fights hyperpigmentation.
4. Add antioxidant Vit.C and Vit.B complex supplements to your diet.
5. Use a homemade pack with curd/ lemon juice/ tamarind paste/ papaya pulp/pineapple juice. It helps to lighten the complexion.

6. Use sun screen spf15 above to prevent excessive sun exposures.

7. Use warm water to wash the face. Avoid using hot water that dries the skin.

8. Moisturize your face, neck and hands morning and before the bed time by add rosehip/Vit.E oil following by facial acupressure so that the skin does not dry but keeps supple.

9. Avoid facial exercises and consciously avoid using facial gestures. Keep the face relaxed as much as possible.

10. No smoking.

After three months of treatment, her skin became more delicate and fair, and there are fewer wrinkles, less sagginess, and a clearing of aging spots. As an added bonus, she says, there is an overall “rejuvenation” that she felt in her body.

Topical medicines and creams can be effective in reducing the appearance of wrinkles. Creams that contain alpha-hydroxy acids can make small improvements in the skin. However, they can cause very mild irritation. Retin-A, also known as retinoic acid, is more effective at reducing fine lines, but it must be used for several months. It can also make your skin red and more sensitive to the sun. You should talk to your doctor about the proper use of these ingredients.

If you are interested in acupuncture facial rejuvenation, please call our office at 203-637-7720 to make an appointment. Thank you!

Jackson W, a 56 year old male, is president and CEO of a large company. When he consulted me it was due to his habit of smoking 2 packs of cigarettes a day for the past 45 years. Now he has shortness of breath and heart palpitations and he is afraid he may have lung cancer. He came to me hoping I could help him quit.

He is a heavy-set man who comes down hard on his feet and legs while walking, he has yellowish facial skin and smells of cigarettes, especially on his breath. He says he feels energetic and, by listening to his lungs, I ascertained there was no wheeze, no cloud sound from the lung and his heartbeat was normal. In giving his history, Jackson told me he had been in the army, and after his tour of duty returned to the United States where he started to work. Since he never went to college, he knew he had to work extremely hard to beat his competitors, and he roused both himself and his son, by telephone as he worked in a different city, at six .am., at which time he went to work, often not returning home until 10 p.m. He worked like this seven days a week which, in the beginning was doable. However, recently, he felt he did not have the stamina to keep up this schedule, and he was afraid he might die of smoking and working so hard, to he came to me for help.

I discussed with Jackson the absolute necessity to stop smoking, because cigarettes contain the drug nicotine, which is as highly addictive as heroin or cocaine. Over time, the smoker becomes physically and emotionally to it and totally dependent on nicotine. Many men think nicotine gives them the energy to support their lives, while many women believe cigarettes make and keep them thin. Studies have shown that smokers must deal with both physical and psychological dependence to be successful at quitting and staying quit.

When a smoker inhales, nicotine is carried deep into the lungs where it is absorbed quickly into the bloodstream and carried throughout the body. Nicotine affects many parts of the body, including the heart and blood vessels, hormonal system, metabolism and brain. Nicotine can be found in breast milk and even in cervix mucus secretions of smokers. Nicotine can freely enter the placenta during pregnancy and affect newborn infants.

Nicotine produces pleasant feelings that makes the smoker want to smoke more and more, and after awhile the smoker develops a tolerance to it, which brings an increase in smoking over time. The smoker reaches a certain nicotine lever and then smokes to maintain this level.

Currently all medical research indicates that many severe diseases are caused by smoking. These include bronchitis, emphysema and even lung cancer, which makes many smokers try to cut back or quit altogether. However, as soon as the smoker actually does quit – for a few hours or a few days – withdrawal symptoms occur, including dizziness, depression, feelings of frustration, impatience, anger, irritability, sleep disturbance, increased appetite, trouble concentrating, headache, tiredness and restlessness. All these symptoms can lead to the smoker starting again in order to boost blood levels of cigarettes back to the level where there are none of these symptoms.

I discussed all these issues about health with Jackson in an effort to make him understand why he must quit.

1. Almost everyone understands that smoking can cause lung cancer, however, many other cancers can be introduced through smoking: cancer of the mouth, vocal cord, affecting the larynx, throat, pharynx, esophagus, bladder, kidneys, pancreas, cervix, stomach and leukemia.

3. Smoking can also lead to heart attack, stroke, blood vessel disease and blindness.

Chinese medicine believes that cigarette smoking falls into three major types:

Type 1 is Energy deficiency of the heart and lung, which includes bronchitis, emphysema, coronary artery disease and insomnia. The main symptoms are cough, asthmatic attacks, chest pain, sore throat, shortness of breath, agitation, anxiety, poor sleep, insomnia and dreaming.

The second type is Yin deficiency of the liver and kidney, which includes high blood pressure and insomnia. The main symptoms include dizziness, faintness, tinnitus, impotence, early ejaculation or night ejaculation, dysmenorrheal and infertility.

The third type is Weakness and deficiency of the spleen and stomach, which includes chronic gastritis and peptic ulcer. The main symptoms include stomach ache, bloating, poor appetite, loose diarrhea, heaviness of the body, drowsiness and headache.

4. Treatment

(1) Auricular acupuncture treatment, i.e. Ear embedding needles. First we find the most painful points on the ear, those usually corresponding to the heart and sympathetic system. I regularly use Sheng Meng, Heart, Lung, Endocrine and Large Intestine. I insert the needles at the auricular points. These needles stay in the ear for seven days and every day the patient presses the needles for 4 to 5 minutes per hour, which lessens the craving for the nicotine in a cigarette. He also presses the needles anytime he gets the urge to smoke. It is possible to bathe or shower with the needles imbedded in the ear, but the patient must be on the alert for any signs of inflammation or infection.

(2) Laser treatment. Laser needles can also be used on the auricular acupuncture points. aiming directly at the ear for usually 2 to 3 mm. For each treatment, four pints are used for 15 minutes each time, with the total treatment about 25 to 30 minute. This is done 3 times a week for 4 to 8 weeks.

Auricular acupuncture point injections. 0.5% sodium chloride can be injected for each day one or two points, always changing the points after each injection. Endocrine, sheng meng, stomach, liver and lung points are often used.

Electrical stimulation for the ear. I usually select sheng meng, lung and endocrine, and use a 1 inch needle in both ears and do six points, then employ electrical stimulation for about 30 minutes and continue this treatment every other day for a total of four weeks.

Body acupuncture. Emotional burden, such as stress, anxiety, poor sleep and depression can force many people to smoke, therefore, body acupuncture can help to reduce emotional problem.

Jackson was treated with both ear and body acupuncture. He had three treatments a week for eight weeks, and after the first week he reduced his intake to one pack of cigarettes a day and the second week he stopped smoking. After the total time of eight weeks he was completely off cigarettes.

In my experience, the first two weeks are the most crucial time for the patient, because the nicotine withdrawal syndrome is the most severe and the patient is depressed, agitated, sometimes anxious and suffering from insomnia, and any of these can cause a return to smoking. If I treat the patient with ear acupuncture, he can constantly press the needles embedded in the ear, which will decrease his craving for a cigarette and will enforce the psychological support. If the patient knows all the consequences of smoking, and desires to quit, he usually can do so with acupuncture. Most succeed with the right attitude toward the consequences of continuing to smoke.

Tips for acupuncturists:

Education, education! This is the most important part. If the patient is not willing to quit, there is no way to force the patient to quit.

Encouragement: You have to encourage the patient to stick to the program.

Support: you have to get support from the patient’s family and friends.

Tips for patients:

Be determined and stick to the program: the first 2 weeks are the most difficult time. If you can stick to it, you will win the war.

Think about your future and your family’s future, you do not want to set up a wrong role model for your children and family members.